Acts 6:1–7
Address to the Candidate for Ordination
Brother (name of the candidate), this morning you stand before God and before this church, having been duly chosen for ordination to the office of deacon. You are a man whom God has chosen to serve this church as a spiritual leader and an example to the believers. I want to warn you that this office of sacred service is not given to you so that you may gain some position of dominance or personal advantage, but so that you may serve the Lord and His body. It is important that you understand that the church belongs to no man, but to God alone.
Brother (name of the candidate), I have seen in you the heart of a servant, and I know that you will labor in God’s work as a faithful servant of Christ. The church has seen in you a desire to help others. You have a good reputation and enjoy the respect of those around you. From now on, your conduct and your actions as a deacon will bear even greater weight upon people’s picture of Christ and His body. To a large degree, you will represent this church. As you live a godly life in this world, both the church and her Savior will look upon you with favor. But if you fail, you will stain the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and bring reproach upon the whole church.
I will be honest with you. Very often people watch God’s servants more closely than they watch themselves. The failings of deacons are exaggerated, while their virtues are made light of or go unnoticed altogether. For this reason, from now on you will have to watch yourself and your behavior all the more carefully. Truly, the responsibilities that the office of deacon carries with it are enormous. But its privileges and rewards far outweigh its burden. In 1 Timothy 3:13 the apostle Paul says to Timothy:
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)
The Making of the Promise
Do you promise before God and before this church of Jesus Christ that:
- You will hold to the truth and to “the trustworthy message as it has been taught” (Titus 1:9);
- By God’s grace you will be a true example of Jesus Christ in this church and before those around you;
- You will be faithful and constant in your attendance at the regular services of worship;
- Your giving will be with a joyful heart and generosity;
- You will take part in the meetings of the spiritual council with an open mind;
- You will be patient in seeking solutions to problems;
- You will be humble, and will strive to preserve and to build up within yourself the heart of a servant of God;
- You will “keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9);
- You will help the pastor in God’s work and in the ministry of the church;
- You will diligently seek God’s guidance and His will for this church.
Do you promise? [Here the candidate for ordination is to answer in the affirmative — “Yes, I promise!”]
Charge to the Church
Brother (name of the candidate) has been appointed by God to carry out this ministry, which is of such great importance to the church. But he also needs your support and your fellowship. Do you promise before God and before this new deacon that you will encourage him and pray for him, just as he will for you? If so, say “Amen”!
A prayer with the laying on of hands follows.